A Chicago-based developer has 1.19 acres in Midtown under contract with plans for a 20-story project that's expected to include up to 421 apartment units plus retail space.

On Oct. 12, Akara Partners will go before the Metro Planning Commission seeking specific plan mixed-use zoning for its first Nashville project. With required approvals, construction could start next year on the Kenect Nashville apartment community with opening targeted for 2019.

To make way for the project, buildings within the targeted footprint at 808 and 812 19th Ave. S., where music publisher Spirit Music Nashville (formerly Cal IV Entertainment) has its offices, would be demolished. The other under-contract site at 1815 Division St. is already vacant after the National Register-eligible Crittenton Building was razed.

The home of Spirit Music Nashville at 80819th Ave. S. would be demolished to make way for Kenect Nashville.(Photo: Davidson County Asessor of Property)

Kenect Nashville will have 24,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 424 parking spaces and bike parking, according to plans submitted to the Metro Planning Commission. Chicago-based Perkins+Will is the project architect. Locally based Hawkins Partners Inc. is the landscape architect and Barge Cauthen & Associates is the civil engineer.

Late last year, Akara Partners opened the 227-unit Kenect Chicago apartment community with 15,000 square feet of retail space in its hometown. The developer has been involved with dozens of other real estate projects nationwide.

Akara Partners developed Kenect Chicago and is now pursuing Kenect Nashville.(Photo: Akara Partners)

Akara Partners' contract on the former Crittendon building site is with Salah and Tareq Ayesh, who four years ago paid $2.6 million for that 0.68-acre property at the corner of 19th and Division Street. The Calister Turner III 1994 Generation Skipping Trust owns 808 and 812 19th Ave. S., which is home to Spirit Music Nashville.

Although 808 19th is located within the Music Row neighborhood, the 42-year-old building isn't considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Metro Historical Commission, however, considers the building worthy of conservation.

A view of Kenect Nashville in Chicago.(Photo: Akara Partners)

Local historical preservationist Trey Bruce would like to see developers make more effort to incorporate existing buildings that are part of the Nashville story when pursuing redevelopments. "Any time a developer can preserve something of the old structure and the old personality, he has a chance to weave part of Nashville's story into the new development," Bruce said.

Reach Getahn Ward at gward@tennessean.com or 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.